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Cyrtanthus carneus

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is threatened with collection of wild individuals for horticultural trade. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known locations of occurrence with existing threats causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is extremely rare in the wild and is known to be exploited, utilised or traded. The localities of remaining populations need to be protected to avoid any further exploitation, which is likely to drive it to extinction.
Exploitation extent
Significant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, and utilisation is widespread, affects the majority of wild populations and/or is causing rapid decline of the wild population.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Vulnerable as it is experiencing population decline due to habitat loss, degradation and collection of wild individuals for horticultural trade (Snijman et al 2007). This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting.

Snijman, D.A., McMaster, C. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Cyrtanthus carneus Lindl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Population vulnerability
Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km2 OR species at risk of localised extinctions
Justification and references

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 3000 km², is known from nine locations and occurs and small and highly fragmented subpopulations whereby 30% of its habitat has been lost in the past 80 years (Snijman et al 2007).

Snijman, D.A., McMaster, C. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Cyrtanthus carneus Lindl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Targeted demographics
Mature (breeding) individuals are killed, significantly weakened or are permanently removed from the wild, OR immature individuals are targeted and this significantly impacts mature (breeding) individuals.
Regeneration potential
This species has a slow population growth rate, or the growth rate varies depending on habitat, and there is a poor chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation OR a collector might feasibly harvest the entire extant population removing the chance of subsequent recruitment.
Justification and references

Small and fragmented subpopulations as well as a declining population lowers this species chances of recruitment and recovery (Snijman et al 2007).

Snijman, D.A., McMaster, C. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Cyrtanthus carneus Lindl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Cyrtanthus carneus Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf625.42 KB
cyrtanthus _ eBay.pdf1.05 MB
Cyrtanthus Aucfan.pdf1.01 MB